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Astros acquire Fowler from Colorado

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Press Release |

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros have acquired outfielder Dexter Fowler and a player to be named later from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for outfielder Brandon Barnes and right-handed pitcher Jordan Lyles. The announcement was made by Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow.

"One of our goals this offseason was to bring in an outfielder who can spark our offense," said Luhnow. "Dexter is an exciting player who can help with the bat, with his legs, and with his glove."

"Jordan and Brandon are both home grown players who have done well here and provided good memories for our fans. We wish them the best in their careers going forward."

Fowler, 27, hit .263 (109x415) with 18 doubles, 12 home runs, 42 RBI, 19 stolen bases, 65 walks and a .369 on-base percentage in 119 games with Colorado last season. The switch-hitting outfielder started 106 games in center field for the Rockies in 2013 and has been Colorado's primary center fielder for the last five seasons (2009-13). In 2012, Fowler hit .300 (136x454) in 143 games with a .389 on-base pct., which was tops among National League leadoff hitters (min. 60 games). Additionally, his .369 on-base pct. as a leadoff hitter since 2009 ranks third in the NL in that span.

Fowler signed a two-year contract with Colorado that covers the 2013-14 seasons and will be under the Astros control and eligible for his final year of arbitration in 2015. He has spent his whole career (2008-13) with Colorado and owns a .270 (606x2248) average with a .365 on-base percentage in 667 Major League games.

Barnes, 27, hit .240 (98x408) with eight home runs and 41 RBI in 136 games in what was his rookie season in 2013. He appeared in 179 Major League games over the last two seasons (2012-13) with the Astros. Barnes was originally a sixth-round pick by Houston in the 2005 draft.

Lyles, 23, went 7-9 with one save and a 5.59 ERA (88ER/141.2IP) in 27 games (25 starts) with the Astros last season. He appeared in 72 games (65 starts) for the Astros since his MLB debut in 2011. Lyles was originally a supplemental first-round draft pick by Houston in the 2008 draft.

With the addition of Fowler and the removals of Barnes and Lyles, the Astros 40-man roster is now at 36 players.